Chapter 5

Gabriella can't remember ever spending a single moment of her whole existence desiring friends. They would be too needy and would never understand her, only hindering enjoyment and progress in her life.

Besides, relationships were hard to maintain in general. It's annoying enough trying to please her aunt everyday just so she can be provided with shelter and food.

But attending a new school does put her at a disadvantage. Perhaps she can find some sort of ally for the time being, to help her navigate her way around. Maybe even to brief her on the history between Troy and the blonde.

Troy -- she considers him to be an interesting character. Definitely intriguing. Yet she can't quite place her finger on the reason why. At her other schools, she's seen look-a-likes. His appearance is pretty generic after all, floppy chestnut hair, blue eyes, laid-back style.

He'd been her second kiss. She received her first when she was sixteen, and she was at her locker when a boy appeared and suddenly planted one on her. It was quite like what she had done to Troy. She later discovered it had been a dare to kiss 'the scariest girl at Sun High.' The boy had won fifty bucks and the admiration of his companions. When Gabriella learned this, she wrestled him on the front yard for half of it with most of the school as their audience. "It's only fair," she'd said daintily to his bruised and grass-stained face.

It's after lunch, and Gabriella joins the group of students filing into Art class. Art was easily chosen as one of her electives since it was a 'no effort' class and, luckily for her, didn't require a prerequisite. No way in hell would she be sitting in a class full of freshman.

The teacher is late, which is odd for the first day, but Gabriella doesn't mind and picks a seat. She surveys the room for a gullible face.

A girl with a bird's nest on top of her head plops herself down next to her. "Hi there!"

Gabriella manages a smile. "Hi."

The twig-haired girl sticks out a clammy hand. "I'm Martha Cox."

"Gabriella Montez."

Then another girl comes to sit with them. Her bob swishes slightly as she gives Martha a curt nod and smile as a greeting.

Martha beams at Gabriella, introducing her friend. "This is Taylor Mckessie."

They exchange hellos, and Gabriella wonders why Martha seems so curious about her. Martha launches directly into a question, "Are you new at East High? I haven't seen you around before." When Gabriella answers yes, the sparkly-eyed Martha continues, "How do you know Troy Bolton?"

Taylor nudges her with a stern expression on her face, but unexpectedly, Gabriella matches Martha's happiness.

She's found herself a talkative gossip. How wonderful.

-

Sharpay has free period after lunch and is strolling the halls, but shoots occasional glances over her shoulder, cautiously avoiding anyone else. She takes light steps to soften the noise made by her shoes. Suddenly, an arm comes out of nowhere, grips her waist and pulls her into darkness.

She releases a mild squeak in surprise, but that same hand is now clamped over her mouth. Yanking it off, she spins around and kisses her ambusher passionately. It's heated and hands are roaming. Even being unable to see through the obscurity, she knows it's him because of his familiar touch.

Finally, they break away.

Sharpay automatically lifts a hand to smooth her hair back. "A janitor's closet?"

"What's wrong with it?"

"Just a little trite is all."

"Oh, my apologies. Next time I'll choose something less convenient but original like, say, the school's rooftop garden as our secret rendezvous place."

"Fine, this'll do, but if I get anything spilled on my dress, someone's buying me two new ones."

"No thinking about more clothes right now."

There is silence, except for a few moans and rattles from cleaning supplies being bumped into.

"Why don't we turn on the light?" she whispers.

"Because someone might see it through the crack under the door and wonder if there's anyone in here."

"Oh."

"Sharpay?"

"Yes?"

"What's wrong?"

"I just wish we didn't have to do this here."

"Okay, okay, fix your bra, and we'll head on up."

"No, I mean, I wish we didn't have to always hide ourselves."

"I know, but … "

"We should just tell him."

"I don't know … as his best friend, I don't think it's the best idea right now."

"We're not even dating anymore!"

"If he finds out the reason why is me, it'll crush him. Or I'll get crushed. Who knows; he's unpredictable."

"It's not you though! We … we did like each other once, but we've both changed and he won't accept that. No matter how many times I push him away, he'll keep waiting at my doorstep for the day I change my mind. He doesn't deserve that."

"We should give him more time. He's not ready."

"I can barely do this anymore. We need to come out of the closet!"

"Literally though, right?"

"Yes, literally!"

"Just checking."

"What about that girl who kissed him? I was hoping she was his girlfriend. Does she like him? We could set them up!"

"No, no, far from it. She's some weirdo we met over the summer. Setting him up with someone does seem like a good idea though …"

"Kelsi? I know her from the drama club and she's quiet and shy but she's got the whole artist appeal. She's smart and she can stick up for herself. They'd make a good match."

He's about to agree when a flood of light blinds the pair. A cheery Gabriella stands in the doorway with paint splatters on her clothing and shoes. "Well, well, well, what do we have here?" Her giggles sound like silver bells at Christmastime.